Abstract

Sheep production is the most widespread livestock activity in rural areas of the country; it takes advantage of by-products and crop residues, transforming them into products of high biological and economic value for the families that carry out this activity. The objective was to characterize the sheep production system in the south of the Mexico City. Information about the management of the herds and productive and socioeconomic aspects was obtained from 25 production units (UP). Descriptive statistics and a principal component analysis (PCA) were performed. The average size of the herds was 69.1 ± 3.8 head (cb) and they have 3.3 ± 1.0 hectares (ha). The purpose of the UP is the rearing and fattening of lambs for supply. The PCA identified that social and economic variables accounted for 82% of the variability. This production system has great viability, since it can produce forages for sheep and a safe market in Mexico City.

Niznikowski, R., Strzelec, E. & Popielarczyk, D. (2006). Economics and profitability of sheep and goat production under new support regimes and market conditions in Central and Eastern Europe. Small Ruminant Research, 62, 159–165